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In September 1984, the town of High River, Alberta successfully bid to host the first-ever Western Big Country Summer Games on the weekend of July 5, 6 and 7, 1985. This was a sporting, recreational and cultural event for the people of the designated recreational area of Western Big Country which encompasses the region from Cayley to Olds and Lake Louise to Beiseker (excluding Calgary). The weekend of events included sporting competitions in archery, baseball, canoeing and kayaking, trap and skeet shooting, small bore and pistol shoots, fastball and slow pitch tournaments, golf, horseshoes, tennis, swimming, cycling, soccer, triathlon and track and field. Some of these events were regional play downs for the Alberta Summer Games held later in August. There were also modified events for the mentally challenged in horseshoes, swimming and track and field; and seniors events which included bridge, cribbage, checkers, scrabble, snooker, golf, horseshoes and swimming. In all, approximately 1500 people participated in a total of 29 sports and board games. As part of the weekend, the High River Culture Board organized a Chautauqua held on the Friday and Saturday nights; and for teenagers there was an air band competition and a dance. The entire event was planned, organized and run by community volunteers and one paid co-ordinator, Lyle Walton, who was hired by the Town of High River for a six-month term.